Three Rivers Rising

Review by Edan
Title: Three Rivers Rising: A Novel of the Johnstown Flood
Author: Jame Richards
Published: 2010
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Summary:
Celstia is the daughter of a rich family that travels to a fancy resort by Lake Conemaugh, a reservoir held by a great dam. She loves spending her days swimming and talking to Peter, one of the hotels hired boys. This friendship soon turns to a romance, and a romance that could cause her to be disowned. Her family is being stretched to its limits when, in May, 1889, the great dam broke and released all of the water onto the towns below. Celstia had traveled down to visit Peter in his town in the valley, and then the water came...

Review:
This tragic event is a true story. I love the way Richards made this past event in history into a vivid scene that can be relived by reading this book. When I picked it up in the library, I hadn't looked at the writing style and was surprised when I opened the book to start reading. The book is written in the format of a poem. I thought this would be difficult to read, but it wasn't. The story flowed and shows the reader what it was like for the poor towns in the valley and the rich families above. It touched the story of each type of person, Celstia, her father, Peter, a local nurse and even more.
This is such a beautiful story. It makes the reader see what it would be like to have experienced the Johnston Flood. It moves a little slow at parts, but I never lost my interest. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a book about romance, courage and realizations....

Rating:****